Pixel 9a

[...] I have a Pixel 9a and it's been quite good with really solid battery life. It's barely 6 months old and I got it new straight from Google. A few days ago I noticed the battery started to drain much faster than usual. [...] In 10 hours today I sent 3 text messages with Whatsapp and lost 60% of my battery in that time frame. [...] I find it weirdly coincidental that the battery life went from amazing to worse than a 5 year old device I had prior to this just as they are releasing new phones. I've powered it down and given it a full discharge / charge too. It's still draining at an alarming rate.

After experimenting with grapheneos on a Google Pixel 9a for 5 months I've come to the sad conclusion that it's not going to replace my iPhone as a daily driver. I've become too addicted to face id, digital wallets, and even iMessage.

[...] My main ones are Sony MDR-V6s which I've had for 10 years. They are the best headphones I've ever owned and they sound just as good today as they did a decade ago. [...] The other are crappy $8 earbuds / mic combo that are maybe 7 years old and work just fine. I have wireless earbuds that I occasionally use since the Pixel 9a has no 3.5mm jack. [...] I have to babysit them to make sure they are charged. [...]

This is one of the advantages apple currently has: Staying on the bleeding edge of or buying an iphone is cheaper than you would think, because iphones in general retain their value longer than the average android I have found that you can also use the less long value retention to your advantage by not buying an Android phone on release day. [...] here in Western Europe, including VAT: Pixel 9a 549 - 349, Pixel 10 899 - 549, Pixel 10 Pro 1099 - 769. [...] a Pixel at the discounted price, the loss is not so much after selling after 1-2 years. [...]

[...] I'm daily driving a Pixel 9a with GrapheneOS and I strongly disagree, at least from an ordinary usage perspective. [...]

[...] People do have different thread models, though I think up-to-date software should be the baseline for everyone and where pretty much every phone outside iPhone, Google Pixel, and a subset of Samsung phones fail. [...] Pixel covers a pretty wide price range to, e.g. the Pixel 9a was 349 Euro here recently, all the way up to the Pixel fold.

This UI is great but do you get this horrible thing where sometimes the browser is shows a white screen and you have to force stop the app? Happens all the time on the latest version for my Pixel 9a. [...] It's really horrible and I can't pin down any rhythm or reason other than loosely seeming to happen more often when I'm in battery saver mode.

[...] Partially my fault since I'm using non-default ROMs (LineageOS on my Fairphone 4, which I then replaced with GrapheneOS on my Pixel 9a), but also mostly Google's fault for taking as janky of an approach as possible when it comes to its Messages app (which seems to be the only actively-maintained Android SMS app with RCS support, because of course it is). [...]

Fun thing (?), I was excited on my last trip to Japan so I could test QZSS with my Pixel 9a, that supports it, and my GPS experience in urban canyons, specially in Shibuya, was terribly bad. Even when in GPS Test or GPS Lock tools it was showing better than 3 meter horizontal accuracy, and a multitude of locked satellites, including some QZSS, the location would usually be 30 to 50 meters away. The first days I though I had lost all my capacity to navigate Tokyo, then I noticed the GPS was gas-lightning me. I tried removing the phone case, changing GPS settings... [...]

I use the pixel 9a and I can say it's a really good phone I don't game on it I use a ps5 the phone runs app like any other phone the battery last all day on WiFi 6-7 hours screen time on data 4-5 the screen is beautiful only thing I don't like it can dim way too low sometimes apart from that most people won't even use some of the other features missing from this model it's a phone that does everything really good with a good price well done Google don't waste your money on the pro and XL they do the same thing make calls take pictures and open close apps the same way 👍🏽

[...] I've used this phone exclusively since 2019, no replacement, no modifications. The durability of this phone is amazing. But the performances and the battery life are starting to be limiting, so I'll soon move on to 9a.

[...] And I'm not even picking the Pixel 9A to try to save money, it's just because I genuinely don't think the additional features are very useful to me.

The Pixel 5 was an absolutely brilliant phone; everything about it was right: the texture, the size, and the battery was great too. [...] I've since moved onto a Pixel 9a and it just isn't as good, IMO. The screen seems so much... [...] I used to drop the 5 quite a bit onto hard concrete floors, and it never sustained the damage that this one has (without as much abuse): the screen is cracked along the side. [...]

I have had a mixed experience. Bought my Mom a Pixel 9a. [...] Connectivity issues (WiFi connected, but no internet), screen losing colors (white would turn gray), ghosting issues (scrolled/hidden content would stay on screen for a period of time).

[...] I had one that would change my screen from grayscale to color when I opened the photos app. [...] I have a pixel 9a with Graphene right now and I'm very happy with it. Great hardware, great price, great software. [...] RCS doesn't work on Graphene, and SMS is basically the worst thing ever, so I use Signal as much as I can. [...]

Best-in-class camera I own a Pixel 9a. It's the first phone I used that made me question how many of the pixels going out of the camera app are actually coming the sensor and how many from some AI model. [...]

On my Pixel 9a (also on GrapheneOS) the biggest limitation is it can't be set to higher than 1080p, and the upscaling algorithm with my 4K display (not sure where in the chain that happens, monitor or phone) was quite terrible to the point of text legibility being a concern. The usage experience otherwise is quite good, it's perhaps my preferred way to sync data to and from my phone, I have it all stored on a NAS so I connect to my Type-C display (which has keyboard, mouse, and ethernet connected to its switch), fire up a terminal, type in my rsync commands, and my pictures & music are synced instantly at LAN speeds.

[...] I think pixels normally show what's playing on the lock screen, offline. I think this might be the same thing, triggered manually. [...] I've had no issues there. [...] I've used it on a pixel 6, which died not too long ago, and now a pixel 9a.

[...] But after the battery thing update, it's a bit frustrating so we looked for another phone... and 9a came up now on black friday (in Sweden) and it was the same price as we bought the 6A (for us it was about 375 USD) so we bought 2... Every update (except for the later battery one) has been awesome for Pixel 6a, so it's a bit sad that it was a bit wobbly on the updates for 9a. What I really like (even if it's slow) is the wireless charging... [...] and with battery protection charging on it still almost have virgin USB port (these usually fail on me after 2 years as you plug in and out and sometimes drag the cable and USB gets so worn)... [...] 1080p screen, Dolby Atmos (best sound from any tablet I ever heard, and I have had many Dolby Atmos tablets after that) and wireless charging and so on and on... [...]

I have a pixel 9a and been using it for about 2 months. Battery life is great on WiFi but not so good on mobile data if you're not so close to the tower, not a big deal if you're closer to a tower. [...] It heats up pretty quickly if you're charging it or using it on mobile data for sometime. [...] But I think this phone is pretty durable. I dropped my phone on tile floor yesterday and the sound if it was awful (I did not have a case and it dropped face down) The screen protector was shattered in a corner and the frame was slightly dented. [...] And the photos are stunning.

So I purchased the pixel 9a... There are a few limitations on it, very few and mostly involve the camera. [...] I think the pixel 9a camera recordings are being upscaled or they are placed on a gimbal without stabilization turned on. I sent the pixel 9a back. [...] I love the pixel 9a design, I like it better than the 9. If you are going to take pictures here and there and not to often - get the 9a. 9 has better night time performance, but I don't really ever really take pictures at night - even on holiday. [...] Pixel 9a is an excellent option. I bought it about 3 months after it's initial release. [...] The design looks really fugly in pictures but in person it's so minimalistic, elegant, and nobody will try to steal your phone. I think that is the most important thing for me, is that I can set my phone down and come back and it will still be there cuz nobody wants it. [...] I absolutely love the design of the pixel 9a. [...]

I'm thinking to make the change from the Nothing Phone 1 since they come out the first day, but man, that bezels..... 😢 My Nothing Phone 1 is heathing a lot every day in simple taks. That's the main reason that i want to change to Pixel 9a and they have better cameras and a lot more years of software updates.

I'm using an OLED X1 Carbon right now in the UK. I use it all the time in low light. [...] I then used my phone to record the screen and yes - I can confirm that there is an effect that my pixel 9a's camera picks up, barely noticeable at 240Hz, and definitely noticeable at 480Hz. [...]

I've been using a Pixel 9a for the last year, that replaced my 3 year+ S21. The wife has done something similar with the iPhone range switching to the e model.

I've had mine for 5 months. [...]

I got a pixel 9a for 300 on black Friday a year ago, and other than the garbage Google forces on it, no other phone does a whole lot more, whatever the price. I have Google a, chrome and maps disabled, it works fine

Pixel 9a, Firefox. Never even imagined I would have a problem. HN is my "is the internet working?" check.

As someone that swapped from fairphone 5 to a pixel9a with graphene. [...] Fairphone is a cool concept, but its a expensive phone, early on i had problem with the speakers and mic. Security updates are extremely slow, support is extremely slow. [...] Look at pixel software support, its really good, and eu made batteries replacement mandatory.

From two months ago: In the USA, I think most people can easily afford a Pixel 9a at $56/year of device support starting from today. Calculator checks yearly cost based on device support: ( Sources for device lifetime from calculator: ( I used a New+Unlocked+Pixel+X on eBay to find a rough price of the phone. Most people get scammed by their carrier and pay $25-45 per month just for their wireless subscription, and many more get caught up in the device bundles which gets you the "latest and greatest", at a huge price. [...]

[...] The Pixel 9a is currently 350 Euro in my country, it has the same CPU/GPU (modem differs) that the expensive 9 Pro/Pro XL/Pro Fold had. [...] at that price I cannot imagine it being more than break-even. Also, even Pixel 9a has all the security functions of the flagship that many other Android phones do not have or are just getting, such as the Memory Tagging Extension (MTE), the Titan M2 security processor (no need to rely on TrustZone for secrets), etc.

In the USA, I think most people can easily afford a Pixel 9a at $56/year of device support starting from today. Calculator checks yearly cost based on device support: ( Sources for device lifetime from calculator: ( I used a New+Unlocked+Pixel+X on eBay to find a rough price of the phone. Most people get scammed by their carrier and pay $25-45 per month just for their wireless subscription, and many more get caught up in the device bundles which gets you the "latest and greatest", at a huge price. [...]

[...] The Play store is fucking malware, Google services are malware, and the family member now uses a Pixel 9a with GrapheneOS which makes normie phone usage riskless and clean again. [...]

I'd like to add that you can start in a really affordable way. E.g. the Pixel 9a is typically 350 Euro here and a perfectly fine way to start out with GrapheneOS - it still has years of support in it.

Looks like Pixel 9a is supported by LieneageOS. [...] Instead of trying to shop locally from such a small pool of devices I'd advise the OP to pick a protective case and a screen protector since they seem to hang on to their devices for a long time. A device like the Pixel 9a or the upcoming 10a with their oversized battery for the specs is likely to deliver many years of service before degrading to the point of being unusable.

[...] Biometric works great on the Pixel 9A, at least, and it was fine on the 8 Pro when I had it. [...]

I've been using /e/OS for years. Since 2025 I'm on Pixel 9A and GOS. [...] Updates are so frequent. [...]

[...] The Pixel 9a would be used for everything I don't need a data plan/SIM card (browsing etc). [...] I really don't want to get random pings while I'm doing "real" stuff on my phone.

[...] 2) The second is a Pixel 9a with Graphene OS for daily use, routing and internet access. This is expensive, but I found it to be the only viable solution to this problem.

[...] I can leave my smartphone in a faraday bag and just pull it out when I need it, or just wait to be in wifi. (I am homeless living in a minivan so this makes it much harder for me.) I just do not know how much this will effect GrapheneOS or I would get a Pixel 9a. [...]

It supports eSIM. Two months ago, I bought a Pixel 9a, immediately put GrapheneOS on it, and registered an eSIM.

[...] Also, I have been using Bitdefender for years and it is fantastic!

I got a 10a on a prepaid carrier in the US for free when you pay for 3 months of service up front. Great phone don't need more then what this phone has

I have the pixel 9a and love it. Especially on Android 17 beta. The bezels bothered me the first month but I don't notice them anymore

I got a Pixel 9a and it feels like I ended up with an iPhone. [...]

I have this phone for few days now and VoLTE does not work. Despite searching various tutorials, my phone lacks the VoLTE checkbox in SIM settings menu. I can not cal & internet at the same time on a 5G network.

[...] I purchased the pixel 9a, two weeks ago. [...] Because of this one thing, I am not using my pixel9a as my main drive. [...]

As I growth older and getting busy with life and career. I seldom spend time gaming on phone (did game but only in pc), I appreciate the simplicity of pixel 9a and still manage did all the job well while having battery last for whole day.

What I hate is that I use Spigen case and it seems my phone gets really hot while being idle in hot weathers. The threshold is 28°C outside to get my phone super hot even though I am not using it.

Same, I switched from iPhone 17 Pro to the Pixel 9a for grapheneOS and i love the form factor but miss the magsafe. Mainly for charging, I got a case with the mag ring for my wallet/grip thing.

[...] I bought a Pixel 9a and couldn't be happier. The camera in particular is exceptional but everything is improved.